Marine condenser



R. N. EHRHART MA-RINE CONDENSER. APPLICATION FILED AUG.2i,191 8.

1,352,440, Patented Sept. 14,1920.

IN V EN TOR.

I ATTORN E Yf.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RAYMOND N. EHRHART, 0F EDGEWOOD, PENNSYLVANIA.

MARINE CONDENSER.

Application filed August 21, 1918. Serial No. 250,905.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, RAYMOND N. EHR- HART, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Edgewood, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have made a new and useful Invention in Marine Condensers, of which the. following is a specification.

This invention relates to surface condensers. In some condenser installations and particularly in marine condenser installations it is often necessary, due to the limited head room, to employ a relatively shallow condenser in the limited space available for the installation of the condenser. It is a well known principle of condenser design that the most effective distribution of condensing surface is obtained where the areas through the nest of tubes, that is, through the condensing surface, diminishes in inverse proportion to the rate of condensation taking place along the path of steam flow. l/Vhere the available space for condensing surface is limited it is difficult to obtain a satisfactory distribution of condensing surface because of the necessity of limiting the tube spacing for the purpose of crowding into the limited space a maximum amount of condensing surface. As a result, pressure variations within the condenser shell are often encountered in condensers designed for large condensing capacity and consequently the effective vacuum maintained by the condenser is inferior to the vacuum maintained at the point of complete condensation withinthe nest of tubes. This objectionable characteristic of large condensers may be overcome by employing a relatively wide tube spacing or ample steam lanes for the purpose of obtaining a rapid dissemination of thelarge volume of steam throughout the nest of tubes. Condensers so designed are relatively large, in proportion to their condensing capacity and particu-- larly as compared with small size condensers. They are also proportionately expensive to manufacture. Where the available spacefor installation of condensing surface is not only limited but the head room is also limited so that a shallow condenser must be employed, the difficulty encountered in endeavoring to provide sufficient condensing surface and to so distribute the surface that the effective vacuum at the inlet to the condenser is substantially the same as the vacuum at the point of complete condensation within the nest of tubes is exceedingly great.

An object of the present invention is to produce a condenser of relatively large capacity which is more effective and efiicient and is smaller and of less depth than other condensers of the same capacity now in use and known to me. Other principal objects of the invention are the production of a shallow condenser in which means, otherwise useful, are employed for reinforcing the end or tube plates; the production of a condenser having the above characteristics in which means are employed for obtaining the advtantages gained by reducing the area of the cooling surface as the condensation progresses along the paths'of steam flow; the production of a condenser having the above advantages and which will deliver condensate at a high temperature and maintaln a minimum variation in pressure between the point of complete condensation within the shell and the steam inlet of the condenser; and the production of a condenser that insures complete condensation of the steam or condensable fluid and prevents the escape of the fluid through the air or noncondensable fluid outlet port. These and other objects which will be made apparent throughout the further description of the invention are attained bymeans of a condenser embodying the features herein described and illustrated.

One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein the figure represents a diagrammatic transversesectionalview of a condenser, no consideration being given to the details of construction, since the intent is to illustrate only the principles and the general features of design involved.

Referring to the drawing: The condenser lllustrated includes a shell having vertical side wall 1 and 2, a bottom 3 and end or tube plates' t, only one of which is' shown in the drawing. The shell is provided with an inlet port 5, formed in the top of the condenser, a condensate discharge port 6 formed in the bottom of the condenser and an air offtake port 7, which is shown as located below the tubes but above the condensate discharge port 6. The condenser is rela: tively wide as compared to its depth. In condensers of this type it has been the usual practice to fill all the available space within the shell with the usual cooling tubes which objectionable since, in order to obtain the necessary condensing surface without unduly increasing the size of the condenser, the tube spacing adjacent to the steam inlet perimeter of the nest of tubes must of ne cessity be such as to occasion an objectionable loss in vacuum or variation in pressure between the point of complete condensation within the nest of tubes and the steam inlet to the condenser. This is especially true where the condenser is shallow and the paths of steam flow are short. In order to overcome this objectionable featureI have so distributed the condensing surface, 2'. 6., the cooling tubes as to increase the inlet area of the nest of tubes so that the velocity of steam flow entering the nest of tubes is materially reduced below that employed in the ordinary form of condenser such as those to which I have referred. In addition to this, I have so distributed the condensing surface that the paths of steam flow converge toward the air oiftake or toward the points of complete condensation within the nest of tubes.

This is accomplished by subdividing the nest of tubes into separate groups and in effect making each group an independent,

unit having a separate condensate discharge, communicating with the condensate discharge port 6, and a separate air ofi'take communicating with the air ofitake port 7. lVith such as arrangement of tubes I obtain the advantage of an increased inlet area for the steam to the nest of tubes and I am also able to so distribute the tubes of each group as to obtain the advantage gained by having the condensing surface so distributed that the areas of steam flow diminish from the steam space toward the air oiftake in substantially direct proportion to the decrease in condensation taking place along the paths of steam flow, or in direct proportion to the decrease in volume of uncondensed vapor along the path of flow.

Referring again to the drawings; the tubes 8 are so located within the shell as to provide a free steam space 9 above them and in direct communication with the inlet port 5. These tubes, as is the usual practice, extend longitudinally of the shell from one end plate 1 to the other and condensing water is delivered to them in the usual manner. In the condenser illustrated, the tubes are, however, divided into three groups, A, B, and' C, each group being segregated from the others but having free communication with the steam space 9, the condensate discharge port 6 and the air otftake port- 7. The group A is segregated from the others by means of a partition 10, which may be termed a baffle and which extends between the plates 4 in such a way as to reinforce them against external pressure. The partition 10 is substantially L-shaped, one leg 11 extending substantially vertically and formin a partition betwen the groups A and B. T he other leg is inclined downwardly and extends across the bottom of the group A to a point adjacent to the side wall 1. With this arrangement the group A is in effect provided with an independent shell which is in open and free communication with the steam space 9 and which comprises the side wall 1 and the partition 10. The partition is so spaced, with relation to the side wall 1 as to provide a longitudinally extending aperture 12 which forms a combined condensate discharge and air oiftake for the group A and which communicates with the bottom portion of the condenser. The bottom 3 of the condenser is so formed as to provide a condensate well which extends substantially across and may extend substantially the entire length of the con denser. This is accomplished by locating the port 6 at a point substantially midway between the side walls 1 and 2 and by inclining the bottom of the shell on each side of the port 6 downwardly toward the port.

The grou B of tubes is segregated from the group by means of a partition 13, which is substantially similar to the parti-' tion 10 and like that partition extends between the end plates 4 andreinforces them. The lower inclined leg of the partition 13 extends to a point adjacent to the apex of the partition 10 and thereby forms a longitudinally extending aperture 14 which serves as a combined condensate discharge and air ofi'take for the group B. The group C, as illustrated, is located between the partition 13 and the side wall 2 of the shell. It, however, is provided with a bottom plate 15, which extends between the end plates and corresponds in its function to the lower legs of the partitions 10 and 13. This partition, like the lower legs of the other partition, is inclined and extends to a point adjacent the apex and the partition 13, so as to provide the longitudinally extending aperture 16, which serves as a combined condensate discharge and air oiftake for the group C. p

The tubes of each of the separate groups are so disposed within their respective in closing shells as to provide a free steam space which extends substantially around two sides of the group. This is accomplished by so arranging the tubes of each group that a substantially vertically extending steam space is provided between the group and the vertical portion of its inclosing partition. As illustrated, each steam space 1: converges from its point of cone munication with the steam space 9 toward the bottom of the group to which it supplies steam. This is accomplished by so arranging the tubes of each group that the group increases in width from the top to the bottom and isof substantially triangular form. lVith such an arrangement of tubes the paths of steam flow through each group converge toward the air oiftake of the group. Consequently the condensing surface of the group is reduced along the paths of flow at a rate substantially proportional to the rate of condensation taking place within the group.

The condensate dropping from the tubes of each group is collected by the bottom plate or bottom leg of the partition which partially incloses the group. For example, in the case of the group A the condensate dropping from the tubes collects on the lower leg'of the partition 10 and is discharged in the form of a cascade through the aperture 12. In like manner the condensation taking place within the groups B and C is discharged through the respective apertures 14 and 16. As will be apparent, the

condensate discharging from each group forms a barrier between the air offtake port 7 and the combined condensate discharge and air offtake aperture of each group. With such an arrangement fluid withdrawn through the aperture must pass through at least one cascade before reaching the air ofitake port. The result is that any steam or condensable fluid issuing from any of the groups into the hot well space of the condenser must pass through at least one cascade of condensate before arriving at the air offtake port 7. Under such conditions the possibility of delivering steam to the air ofl'take port 7 is reduced to a minimum.

The described and illustrated arrangement of tubes insures an efficient operation of the condenser and the available space for condensing surface is moreover effectivel utilized in each of the groups A, B and d making it possible to deliver condensate at higher temperatures than are ordinarily obtained where a single nest of tubes is em- )loyed in a condenser such as illustrated.

he arrangement of partitions, with relation to the tubes and air olftake port 7, is, however, such that means may be employed for heating the condensate so that it is de livered at substantially the temperature of the incoming steam. This may be accomplished by providing relatively narrow steam lanes 18 between the partitions and the nests of tubes. In the case of the group A the steam lane '18 is located between the side wall 1 of the condenser shell and the group A and communicates with the aperture 12. Incoming steam delivered from the steam space 9 through the lane 18 is subjected to the cooling action of the condensate reach the air offtake port 7 without having first passed through two cascades of condensate, consequently it will not only deliver its heat to the condensate, but will be condensed within the hot well space before reaching the air offtake port. In the case ofthe group C the lane 18 is provided between the vertical leg of the partition 13 and the group and the steam delivered through the lane is received by the hot well space segregated between the condensate cascades issuing from the apertures 14: and 16. From the above it will be apparent that by employing the lanes 18, all of the condensate issuing from the tubes will be exposed to the heat of the incoming steam and at the same time will interpose one or more curtains of condensing medium (condensate) between the air offtake 7 and each of the lanes 18.

It will, of course, be understood by those skilled in the art that the functions of the ports 6 and 7 may be combined and that a single port may be employed for withdrawing both the condensate and the noncondensable vapors. here such an arrangement is employed it will be desirable tolocate the combined port so that a curtain of condensate int'ervenes'between it and each of the condensate discharge apertures of the separate groups. a

While I have described and illustrated but one embodiment of my invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, additions and omissions may be made in the apparatus described and illustrated without departing from the spirit and scope of the having an inlet port, a condensate discharge and an air offtake port, a nest of tubes so located in the shell as to form a steam space communicating with the inlet port, and a free space communicating with the condensate discharge and air oiftake port, and an- I shell as to form a steam space communicating with the inlet port and a free space communicating with the condensate discharge port, and angular baffles dividing the nest of tubes into separate groups and forming side and bottom walls of separate condensing chambers, each having a con densate discharge which communicates with the free space.

a. In combination in a condenser, a plurality of groups of tubes, angular partition plates separating the groups of tubes and forming side and bottom walls of an inclosing shell for each separate group, each of which communicates with the steam space within the condenser.

5. In combination in a condenser, a shell having a steam inlet and a condensate discharge port, a plurality of groups of tubes located within said shell, partitions within the shell separating said groups and providing a separate condensate discharge aperture for each group, each of said groups being so located with relation to said partitions as to provide a steam admission space between the partitions and the side of the group of tubes which converges from the steam inlet thereof toward the lower portion of the group.

6. In combination in'a condenser, a shell having a steam inlet port, and a condensate discharge port, a pluralit of groups of tubes located within said siiell, each so arranged as to provide converging lines of steam flow therethrough, and angular baffies forming side and bottom walls of separate condensing compartments so located within said shell as to separate said groups and provide a separate condensate dlscharge aperture for each group, each of which communicates with the condensate discharge port of the condenser.

7. In combination in a condenser, a shell having a steam inlet, port, a condensate discharge port, and an air oiftake port, a plurality of groups of tubes so located within said shell as to divide the interior thereof into a steam space communicating with the steam inlet port, and a free space communicating with the condensate discharge and the air offtake ports, and angular reinforcing bafiles for said shell separating said groups and providing a separate condensate discharge aperture for each group which communicates with said free space.

being so arranged as to provide a separate condensate discharge aperture for each compartment, the condensate discharging through which forms a curtain between the aperture of the compartment and the air offtake port.

9. In combination in a condenser, a shell provided with a steam inlet port, a condensate discharge port and an air ofi'take port, a nest of tubes so located within the shell as to form a steam space above the nest and communicating with the steam inlet port, and a free space below the nest and communicating with the condensate discharge and the air ofitake port, and bailies located within the shell and dividing the nest into separate groups of tubes, and forming a separate condensate discharge aperture for each group communicating with said free space, said baffles being so located that condensate discharging through each aperture forms a curtain between the aperture and the air ofltake port.

10. In combination in a condenser, a shell having a steam inlet port, a condensate discharge port and an air otltake port, a nest of tubes located within the condenser and dividing the interior thereof into a steam space above the nest and communicating with the steam inlet port, a free space be low the nest and communicating with the condensate discharge and the air ofi'take ports, and bafiies dividing the nest into a plurality of groups of tubes and providing a separate condensate discharge aperture for each group, and means for delivering uncondensed steam from the steam space through each aperture, said battles being so located that condensate discharged through each aperture forms a curtain between the aperture and the air offtake port.

11. In a condenser, a condenser shell having a condensate discharge port near the bottom thereof, a plurality of substantially rectangular compartments in the shell, each open at the top thereof and communicating with the condensate outlet through openings adjacent a lower corner thereof, and a group of cooling tubes in each of the compartments, each group being so located in its compartment as to form a substantially triangular nest through which the paths of steam flow converge at the apex adjacent to the condensate outlet of the compartment.

12. In a condenser having extensive substantially fiat tube plates, a plurality of cooling tubes extending between said plates, and angular reinforcing diaphragms separating the tubes into groups and reinforcing said tube plates. 1

13. In a condenser having extensive tube plates, a condensate outlet adjacent the bottom of the condenser, a plurality of tube nests or condensing units extending between the plates, and angular reinforcing partitions separating the units and secured to and reinforcing the end plates and forming condensate discharge openings adjacent the lower portions thereof and communicating with the condensate outlet.

14. In a condenser, a plurality of substan tially rectangular condenser compartments, each having a condensate outlet adjacent one lower corner of the compartment, and a nest of cooling tubes in each compartment and arranged substantially trapezoidally so that an angularentrance'space is provided between the side of the compartment remote from the outlet, and the inclinedentrance face of the tube nest for supplying condenser compartments having condensate outlets directed laterall in the same direction, a condensate outlet or receiving condensate from the compartments, and an outlet for extracting non-condensable fluid communicating with the condensate outlets and adapted to discharge in a direction opposite to that at which the condensate is discharging from the compartments.

16. In combinationin a condenser, a relatively shallow shell, having a steam inlet, a condensate discharge and an air offtake port, a nest of tubes located within the shell, and at least one partition located Within the shell and dividing the nest of tubes into separate groups, each group being so disposed within the shell as to provide a steam admission space therefor over more than one face of the group.

In. testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 17th day of August,

RAYMOND N. EHRHART. 

